Writer Tells How He Broke The Laquan McDonald Story
Protesters march during a demonstration for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Chicago. Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who shot McDonald 16 times last year, was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday, hours before the city released a video of the killing. Paul Beaty/AP
Thousands of protesters have hit the streets of the city since a dash-cam video of the shooting was released Tuesday, when Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder. Chicago writer Jamie Kalven broke the story for Slate.
Kalven is part of the Invisible Institute project in Chicago and describes himself as a human rights activist.
Once the city settled a $5 million suit with McDonald’s family, major Chicago media outlets picked up the story.
The institute describes itself as a journalistic production company that works to enhance the capacity of civil society to hold public institutions accountable.